A popular post mistress who is leaving her beloved customers after 20 years will be missed by everyone in the village.

Perminder Bahra, 56, is looking forward to having more time to herself, after working from 7am-6pm seven days a week for two decades.

The business, in Northwood Road, has been snapped up by Tharmalingham Prabaharan, known as Praba.

Mrs Bahra, who moves out next week, said her time in Harefield has been a positive experience, with great support from customers, even when a fire, caused by an electrical fault, closed the post office for three months.

She said: "When we came here we were only the second or third Asian family in Harefield but we were so involved with getting on with the job we were accepted straight away and had no problems, which is why we've stayed so long.

"People have been very nice to me and it works both ways. It is such a community feeling here."

She took over from John and Joan Gibbons, who ran a haberdashery shop and post office on the site, and were also

there for 20 years.

Mrs Bahra said: "For ten years we lived above the shop but then moved to Northwood.

"It was nice to go to work, then be able to shut up shop and go home."

She is looking forward to seeing more of her husband, a chartered engineer known as 'Tot', and grown-up daughters, Harmit, 28, a solicitor, and Simran, who has just graduated from Leicester University.

Mrs Bahra said: "I'm ready to have more time for myself and my family, and we want to do a lot of travelling, including visiting India.

"I will be very sorry to go, and sad to leave Harefield, but I will always remember it.